8 frequently asked questions about making appointments at Dermatology clinics in South Korea! How much in advance should one schedule an appointment? Can treatments be done during menstruation? Will there be any charges if the appointment is rescheduled? Let’s get all these questions answered once and for all.

“Is it too rushed to schedule a consultation two weeks in advance?” “What if my menstrual period coincides with the appointment?” “Will there be any charges if I reschedule?” These are questions that almost every Taiwanese woman considering going to South Korea for cosmetic procedures has asked. We have compiled 8 of the most frequently asked reservation-related questions over the past six months and answered them based on our practical experience, so you won’t need to contact customer service privately after reading this.

Let me start with a key point: The reservation process in Dermatology clinics in South Korea operates very differently from that in medical beauty clinics in Taiwan. In Taiwan, people usually make appointments by phone or via LINE and simply go to the clinic whenever they are free on weekends; in South Korea, however, reservations are primarily made through apps, with a minimum waiting period of 3 to 7 days in advance. English/Chinese customer service is also available for assistance. Moreover, the cancellation policies and scheduling rules vary from clinic to clinic. Understanding this difference will help ensure that your entire medical beauty experience goes smoothly, without any delays caused by unavailability of appointments.

🔍 Things you need to know before making an appointment with a Dermatology specialist in South Korea: How much in advance should I schedule the appointment? Can I make an appointment during my menstrual period?

How much in advance should I book to ensure I don’t get turned away?

It is generally recommended to make an appointment 3 to 7 days in advance for regular treatments; for popular clinics such as Gangnam reyou, Brighten skin, and Oracle, it is advisable to book at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance.

Specifically:

• Hydrofiller injections, Botox, and basic laser treatments: These procedures take only 30–60 minutes and are available at high frequency. Usually, there are slots available 3–5 days in advance.
• Thermage FLX, HIFU, Titanium Lifting: These treatments require a significant amount of time to complete, and they must be performed by the director of the clinic personally. During peak periods (weekends and evenings on weekdays), it is usually necessary to schedule at least 7 to 14 days in advance.
• First visit + multiple treatments combined: If it is your first time visiting that clinic and you plan to undergo several treatments at once (such as Thermage + Rejuran), it is recommended to make an appointment 10–14 days in advance, so that the clinic can arrange the consultation and treatment sequence accordingly.
• During holidays and peak seasons: The cherry blossom season (late March to April), the maple leaf season (October to November), and the period around Christmas in December are the peak times for Taiwanese people to travel to South Korea. During these periods, the clinics are always fully booked, so it’s more likely to secure a appointment if you try 2-3 weeks in advance.

Here’s a useful criterion for making this decision: If the clinic you’re considering offers “Chinese-speaking customer service,” it likely means it receives many foreign patients and has a busy schedule, so it’s safer to wait for at least two weeks before making an appointment. However, if it’s a small clinic that mainly serves local customers, waiting for a week should generally be sufficient.

② Is it safe to use lasers or get injections during menstruation?

Most treatments are feasible, but it is recommended to avoid more intensive procedures in the first three days.

To conclude, Dermatology departments in South Korea are much more open towards the issue of menstruation than those in Taiwan and will not directly reject patients. In practice, however, doctors will offer the following suggestions:

• Basic lasers (such as Pico and Fraxel): They are completely OKAY; they neither affect the treatment results nor the recovery process.
• Hydrofiller injections, Rejuran, Juvelook: These treatments are feasible, but during the first three days of menstruation, blood coagulation function is slightly weakened, which may result in larger bruising at the injection sites and slower recovery. It is recommended to bring your own concealer or schedule the treatment after the fourth day of menstruation.
• Thermage, HIFU, Titanium Lifting (which requires anesthesia): During menstruation, the sensitivity to pain increases, so you will feel more discomfort even with the same level of energy. If you are particularly sensitive to pain, it is best to schedule these treatments for a time after the first three days of your period.
• Any procedures that require general anesthesia (such as facelifts): These do not fall within the usual scope of Dermatology, but if you happen to be on your period at that time, it is generally considered a contraindication, so be sure to inform your doctor accordingly.

If you think “I don’t want to take any risks,” then calculate the appropriate period in advance before starting the treatment and schedule major procedures during a time when it’s not your menstrual cycle. Even if it happens coincidentally, don’t worry—just let the consultant at the clinic know, and they will help adjust the order of the treatments or provide additional sedation if needed.

🏥 Recommended Clini
c: Brighten skin Dermatology Gangnam Branch

📍 Address: 825, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

🚇 Subway: Exit 11 of Gangnam Station, then walk for 6 minutes.

🕐 Business hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-19:00 / Saturday 10:00-15:00

⭐ Recommendations: HIFU, Pico laser, and hyaluronic acid injections

💰 HIFU facial treatment: Approximately ₩750,000 – 1,050,000 (NT$16,600 – 23,200)

💰 Rejuran 2 centum cores: Approximately ₩220,000 – 300,000 (NT$4,900 – 6,600)

📅 Check out the full details and book your appointment now through BeautsGO.

📱 Essential questions when making an appointment: What documents are required? How should the deposit be paid? Will there be any charges if I reschedule?

③ What documents are required for making a reservation?

For medical beauty treatments, you just need to provide your English name on the passport, your contact information, the desired date, and the specific treatment you would like to undergo. That’s all that’s required.

The detailed list is as follows:

• The English name on the passport must exactly match the one on the passport. The clinic will use it to verify your identity and create your medical record.
• Contact information: LINE ID or KakaoTalk ID (choose one). Most clinics in South Korea do not accept international text messages; using communication apps for contact is the most reliable option.
• Preferred date and time frame: It is recommended to provide a range (for example, “afternoon from June 15th to June 17th”) rather than specifying just one day, as this will increase the chances of a successful match.
• List of treatments you wish to undergo: the more specific, the better. Instead of just writing “I want a facial treatment,” it would be better to specify “600 sessions of Thermage FLX for the entire face + 2 centum cores of Rejuran.” This way, the clinic can estimate how much time will be required for the treatment.
• Number of people: If you are going with friends, please specify how many people are participating and what treatments each person will undergo. The scheduling logic for two people is different from that for one person.

Unnecessary information: You do not need a South Korean phone number, a South Korean address, or a South Korean bank account. These are precisely the aspects that Taiwanese people often misunderstand. In South Korea, Dermatology clinics are well-equipped to handle foreign patients, and your passport is sufficient as proof of identity.

④ How can I pay the deposit without a South Korea bank card?

Most clinics do not charge foreign customers a deposit; you can pay directly upon arrival at the clinic.

This is probably the most frequently asked question by people from Taiwan. The answer is: Dermatology clinics in South Korea are much more lenient regarding the deposit requirements for foreign patients than you might imagine. There are mainly three scenarios:

• Make an appointment through Chinese platforms like BeautsGO: The platform provides guarantee, so the clinic doesn’t need to charge an additional deposit. Your “credit” is backed by the platform; you can just show it when you arrive at the clinic.
• Making a direct reservation with the clinic (no platform guarantee): Some clinics may require pre-authorization via PayPal or credit card, but this is not common. If you encounter this situation, verify whether they accept PayPal payments (Taiwanese accounts are supported).
• Popular clinics, peak seasons, and major procedures: A few clinics may require a symbolic deposit of around 10,000 to 30,000 Korean won. You can transfer the funds using Wise (formerly TransferWise), as the fees are relatively low. If it really isn’t possible, you can explain your situation to the customer service to see if they can make an exception.

Important reminder: If someone asks you to make a “full prepayment” or transfer money to a private account first, it is definitely a scam. Reputable Dermatology clinics in South Korea will at most charge a small deposit from foreign customers and will never ask you to pay the full amount in one go.

⑤ Will there be any charges if I reschedule or cancel my appointment?

If you notify us 24 to 48 hours in advance, the service is usually free. However, if you try to change the appointment on the same day, a deposit may be charged, or you may be added to our blacklist.

South Korea’s policies regarding cancellations in the Dermatology field are generally lenient, but rules do exist. The following is a practical three-level classification:

Here’s a practical tip: If you book through BeautsGO and need to reschedule, just let the Chinese customer service staff know. They will help you communicate with the clinic on your behalf, so you don’t have to call in South Korea yourself or worry about language barriers.

🏃 On the day of arrival at the clinic: What should I do if I’m late or want to add more treatments?

⑥ What should I do if I miss the deadline?

Being 10 to 15 minutes late is usually OKAY, but if it exceeds 20 minutes, the treatment duration may be shortened or you may be asked to reschedule.

The schedules at clinics in South Korea are extremely tight. A popular clinic director may have to see over a dozen patients in a single day, and each patient’s appointment time is scheduled consecutively. The impact of being late depends on two factors:

• The scheduling density of this clinic: In the case of large chain clinics with high patient turnover, if a patient is 10 minutes late, their consultation time will be shortened or some waiting steps will be skipped in order to complete the treatment as soon as possible.
• Duration of your treatment: If it’s just a 20-minute Botox session, they can still manage to fit you in even if you’re 15 minutes late. However, if it’s a 90-minute combination of Thermage and hyaluronic acid treatment, being 20 minutes late or more will cause delays for subsequent patients, and the clinic is very likely to ask you to reschedule.

Solution: Allow yourself sufficient time for travel before setting off. Taxis in the Gangnam area usually take 5–10 minutes to cover a short distance, but traffic jams can extend this time to 20 minutes, especially from 5 pm to 7 pm on weekdays. If you are really going to be late, immediately inform the clinic or the platform’s customer service team of your estimated arrival time. It’s much more helpful than apologizing after you have already arrived.

⑦ Can additional services be added on-site at the time of arrival?

For smaller projects, it’s usually possible, but for larger ones, it depends on the clinic’s schedule for that day.

Many people arrive at the clinic and only after consulting with the professionals do they realize that “so, I can actually take care of XXX at the same time.” Is it possible to add these services on the spot? There are two possible scenarios:

• Additional treatments that can be added on the spot include Botox injections for the Masseter, Forehead, and crow’s feet; small-area fillers for Tear trough correction and Nasolabial Fold Correction; additional basic laser treatments; and increased dosages of hyaluronic acid injections. These procedures take little time and do not require changing equipment. After a brief assessment on-site by the clinic director or consultant, they can usually be scheduled immediately.
• It may not be possible to schedule these treatments (please inform in advance): Thermage, HIFU, Titanium Lifting, full-face Fraxel, and large-area PRP. These procedures require specialized equipment and the director’s dedicated treatment time slots, so it might not be possible to fit them into the same day.

Recommended approach: When making an appointment, list all the procedures you may want to have done in advance, so that the clinic can reserve some flexible time for them. It’s better to include too many options and then decide which ones to proceed with later, rather than discovering on-site that there isn’t enough time or that you can’t add certain procedures.

⑧ What payment methods are available upon arrival at the store? Is there any discount for cash payments?

Cash, credit cards (Visa/Master/JCB), and some clinics also accept WeChat Pay or Alipay. Payment in cash usually comes with a 10% tax rebate.

Payment is a crucial aspect for Taiwanese people when traveling abroad. The payment options available at Dermatology clinics in South Korea are summarized as follows:

• Cash in Korean won: All clinics accept this form of payment. Some clinics offer a VAT refund on cash payments (around 7–10%), so don’t forget to bring your passport and go directly to the clinic counter to obtain the refund form.
• Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, and JCB are accepted almost everywhere, while some AE clinics do not accept them. The exchange rate when using a credit card is the current bank rate, which is usually more favorable than exchanging cash, but there is a 1.5% overseas transaction fee.
• WeChat Pay / Alipay: Most of the popular clinics in Gangnam, such as reyou, Brighten skin, Oracle, and UMI, support these payment methods, but not all of them do. You can inquire with the customer service before making a reservation.
• UnionPay cards: Most clinics accept UnionPay payments, but it’s advisable to bring an extra Visa or MasterCard as a backup.

In terms of costs, the general range of fees for Dermatology treatments is as follows (for reference only):

(The exchange rate is calculated as 1 Korean won ≈ 0.022 Taiwanese dollars; the actual amount shall be subject to the prevailing exchange rate on the day of transaction.)

✅ Pre-departure checklist: A list of necessary check-ups to schedule in advance

Condense these 8 questions into a checklist that you can refer to before you set off:

• ✅ You have already downloaded the BeautsGO APP or added the Chinese customer service on LINE.
• ✅ Verify that the English name on your passport matches the information provided in your reservation.
• ✅ The treatment plan has been prepared, including optional options.
• ✅ Avoid the first three days of your menstrual period for more intensive treatments.
• ✅ Confirm the payment method at the clinic (credit card/cash/PayPal).
• ✅ I have sufficient cash in Korean won or have confirmed that my credit card has enough overseas spending limit.
• ✅ Screenshots of the subway exit and the walking route near the clinic are available.
• ✅ Allow for an additional 15 minutes of travel time as a buffer.
• ✅ If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give us at least 24 to 48 hours’ notice in advance.
• ✅ The contact information for the clinic or platform customer service is already saved.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Appointments

Q1: Can I just walk in without making an appointment?

Not recommended. In South Korea, Dermatology clinics almost always operate on a reservation basis. If you try to visit without making an appointment, the typical outcome is that the staff will ask you to leave your contact information, schedule you for a consultation several days later, and then ask you to come back later. This situation is even worse for foreign visitors who do not have a South Korean phone number.

Q2: Are there any services available on weekends?

In Gangnam, most Dermatology clinics are open on Saturdays (usually from 2 to 4 pm), while most are closed on Sundays. A few popular clinics, especially large chain stores, do open on Sundays, but the opening hours are usually limited, and appointments often fill up instantly. It is therefore recommended to schedule appointments on Saturdays.

Q3: Can I help my friends make appointments together?

Sure. Just provide the English names on everyone’s passports and the specific treatments they wish to undergo. However, please note that if two people want to have different treatments, the total duration might exceed one session. It is recommended to inform us in advance so that the clinic can arrange consecutive treatment times accordingly.

Q4: Will I receive a confirmation message after making a reservation?

You will usually receive a confirmation reply within 24 hours. If you make an appointment through BeautsGO, the platform will send you a confirmation email containing the name of the clinic, the date and time, as well as a map showing the address. If you haven’t received anything after 24 hours, it is recommended that you take the initiative to check again.

Q5: Are clinics open on public holidays in South Korea?

Most of them are closed. The Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) and the Mid-Autumn Festival are the most important holidays in South Korea, so clinics usually close for at least 2-3 days during these periods. It is best to avoid making appointments on these days. Before your trip, check the opening hours during holidays on Naver or by contacting the platform’s customer service.

Q6: Is it possible to designate a hospital director to handle these operations?

When making an appointment, make sure to clarify that “I want the director himself to perform the XXX procedure for me.” In South Korea, some popular Dermatology directors operate multiple clinics and are not always available on a daily basis. If you request a specific director, you will need to schedule your appointment according to their schedule, with an appropriate lead time of 2-3 weeks.

Q7: What is the process after arriving at the store?

Standard procedure: Check-in at the counter (present your passport) → Fill out the medical form (available in both Chinese and English) → Consultation with a consultant → Physical examination by a doctor → Face washing and changing into surgical attire → Anesthesia administration → Treatment → Post-treatment care → Payment at the counter → Collect your post-operative package and tax refund receipt.

Q8: Can I go shopping right after the procedure?

Let’s take a look at these treatments. After the HIFU treatment, there may be slight red spots on the skin (similar to mosquito bites), which usually subside within 2 to 4 hours. You can still go out shopping while wearing a mask. After treatments like Thermage or HIFU, the face may turn slightly red, but there are no wounds, so you can carry out your daily activities as usual. However, for treatments like Fraxel, which involve tiny incisions, it is recommended to rest in the hotel after the procedure, avoid exposure to direct sunlight, and refrain from wearing makeup.

🏥 Recommended C
linic: reyou Dermatology Gangnam Branch

📍 Address: 119 Isadasan-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

🚇 Subway: Exit 8 of Sinsa Station, then walk for 5 minutes.

🕐 Business hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-19:00 / Saturday 10:00-16:00

⭐ Recommendation: Thermage FLX · Titanium Lifting · Rejuran

💰 Thermage FLX Full Face Treatment: Approximately ₩850,000 – 1,150,000 (NT$18,800 – 25,500)

💰 Titanium Lifting with 80KJ energy: Approximately ₩650,000 – 800,000 (NT$14,400 – 17,700) for the entire face.

📅 Book a consultation at the reyou Gangnam store on BeautsGO now.